Just a Few Thoughts..

 I have "just a few" thoughts on my mind today that are aching to 'get out!'  The first one is about the fact of often hearing the work 'risk' attached to matters of faith!? I am totally confused by this... How CAN it be 'risky' to know, and trust in God's promises, principles, and character in/for/through our lives? I don't have much to say except I'd like for all of you to realize we do NOT live lives of  'risk,' when we allow the Lord to walk with, support, and nourish us daily!  Just as an 'aside,'..It's sort of funny as I consider that word, RISK, because I picture a game board with a map of the world and a whole bunch of brightly colored, small cubes spread across it in strategic positions.. ( I NEVER was very good at that game!)

Three other 'terms' which bother me are: 'Successful' Christian living; the term 'proud' of you; and, I 'disagree' with certain hot topics in our nation's social/political/spiritual climate.  I will do posts about each of these during my available time this summer... Until then, consider living your life with Christ within to be one of SIGNIFICANCE, as opposed to 'successful,' which implies a potential for that ugly word, 'Failure!' Also think of how you felt when your folks said, 'I am proud of you..'' Didn't you sometimes feel the pressure to uphold their reputation through you? Our daughter pointed this our to us in 1993. As a result, I try to always say, "I'm pleased or tickled by you/your...."   Finally, for now, examine your souls for how you really think about those who are not of our 'persuasions' which come from our LORD'S transforming, and delivering presence within us. Do we really 'disagree' with them, or... do we really, truly ACHE due to how their distorted 'persuasions' deter them from life the way our Lord intends for them to know it.. HE is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE LIFE! They, dear readers, are truly missing out on LIFE Himself!

EYE TO EYE With...

I had a wonderful moment on Monday, June 18, 2012 as  I was leading hymns at one of the facilities I minister in. I'd stopped just long enough to walk over to our 101 year old lady so I could get close to her face and speak fully and clearly of our LORD. Her eyes fixed on mine for several moments as they seemed to say, "I know what you all are singing about.." (Her speech is almost non-existent).. Then, only moments later, it was obvious she wanted to actually talk, so I waited as she DID say, 'I KNOW.' Wow! We just never know when or how HE will make Himself known in our midst.. I will never forget gazing deeply into her soul, then hearing her be able to speak forth her knowledge of, and love for our LORD.. God bless you all!

NOT 'WHO,' BUT 'WHOSE?'

Not 'Who,' but 'Whose' Are You?

I am thinking of a song from a summer camp I helped at around 25 years ago.. It simply stated, 'We are complete in HIM!' I loved the tune, but am sort of  'lost' at this point as I try to recall its other lyrics. That's OK though since I just want to offer a few scriptures to feed our thinking on this statement..

In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul lets us know how his purpose it 'that they (we) may be united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowldege." In verse 9, Paul assures us, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." 

Two more verses from JOHN encapsulate this fact of our Lord's intentions for us to be totally alive in HIM and through HIM... JOHN 5:26 says "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself." I have been thinking about this a lot recently.. HE IS LIFE!  John 1:24 states.. "In Him was life and that life was the light of men!"  The reason I'm using these verses is because we must realize HIS LIFE within us in order to live the COMPLETENESS He intends for/through us! When we do, we know WHOSE WE ARE, and do not need to be 'stressed out' by the world's question of, "Who am I anyways..?"  BTW- Are those around you aware of WHOSE you are???

EXCLAMATION POINTS!

This week has been a bit modified from my 'usual routine and visiting schedule' for being with those the Lord is entrusting me with. (mainly 'senior' citizens living in different kinds of care facilities). This is due to the unexpected hospitalization of my 'nearest and dearest' lady who considers me as her 'daughter.' I have been delighted to spend time reading to,   and  just being with her as she and I await medical decisions.                                                                                                                                            The other evening, after a wonderfully fulfilling day of leading hymns one place, then hanging out with her for a couple of hours, I returned home to yet one more delight! But wait! I forgot to tell you about the first 'exclamation point' to that day! It came as I was ready to depart her room.. I asked if she had a special song she'd like me to sing for/to her. HOW GREAT THOU ART was her answer, so I began singing acapella with a full, but not too loud, voice since her door was open. Within 2-3 seconds, I noticed a staff member stopped by the door, smiling broadly, indicating that was her favorite song.. So, as I kept singing, I motioned her into the room to join with me.. She entered and DID join in! Talk about a very special way to end that visit with my dear Alma Mae...praising our Lord with a 'total stranger?'! Upon my arrival at home (9:15PMish), I was blessed to find another wonderful 'exclamation point' had come in the mail! It is truly special since it's a 'first of its kind,' coming from a very treasured person!

The very next day (yesterday), our LORD had one more reason for me to exclaim how wonderful it is to be his child... A long-term desire I've had, but have had to relinquish to his desires, seems about to be fulfilled. This possibility is coming as a result of my last 2 hospital visits.. More details to come as this unfolds in 'my' life lived because of his LIFE within!  (I say this humbly- fully aware of how often I can/do squelch the power of the HOLY SPIRIT through my own willfulness... Yet, HE still loves me! - never gives up as He pours out compassionate grace and mercy upon me...How can I NOT love HIM in return?)   PS- Sorry I can't figure out how to make this all appear the way I want it to on the 'page.' UGH! Gotta go for now! Blessings to all who read this!

TUGGING ON MY HEARTSTRINGS!

Many of you readers know about how I spend a significant amount of  time each week in nursing and/or assisted living facilities. I love this call to sing with, or to, the residents as well as to getting to lead them in growing knowledge of the Word of God at times.  Well... Recently, while walking down the hall at a nursing/rehabilitation center, I couldn't 'just walk on by' a lady with hopeful eyes who spotted me. I took time to meet her since another lady I'd intended to spend time with had been too asleep to awaken for a visit. This new lady to me was very grateful for the songs I sang to her and for the simple act of my turning off the over the headboard light which was exaserbating her bad headache. This light should have had a string attached to its short (3 inches?) chain so she could control it from her immobile state of lying in that bed. There were 2 other big 'factors' contributing to her discomfort, but for now, this lack of a string leads to my chosen title for today. For, you see, I know we all have needs for assistance in living a thriving life. It must tug on God's heartstrings when we are often unable or, unwilling, to ask for, and accept his help.  In her case,  only two of her three needs were meetable by me as I took time to stop, listen to, and realize them. Contrary to this, HE is able to meet all of our needs for a thriving life of abundance (John 10:10), as well as one of prosperity, hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So.....

This leads me to ask myself, and you, how often we don't call out to our Lord, to 'meet us where we're at?' Do we willingly acknowledge our Creator's desires to be  the sole source of our physical, mental, social, and SPIRITUAL well-being. (Afterall, HE is LIFE itself! Jesus is The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE! -John 14:6) Since we humans are not truly 'mere mortals,' but are triune beings with bodies, souls, and spirits, it is imperative to realize we are either spiritually dead in sin and its consquence of alienation from our Creator/Father God, or, we are spiritually alive because we've accepted our need for spiritual new birth through the atoning blood of Jesus which made possible the reconciliation of us to our Heavenly Father. No other created beings had the breath of God (his spirit!) breathed into them, nor, are they meant to know God personally, as mankind is. Until we welcome Him as LORD and Savior (deliverer from sin's penalty of separation from God!), we individuals 'tug on his heartstrings,' since HE desires to be our sole sufficiency as He provides ALL we need while we are earthbound. Do you let HIM be? Which areas do you hold onto, thinking, "I can do this myself!?" We can ease the tug on his heartstrings if we want to!

HER ACHING HEART!

I am not sure when I will post this article but I will begin now anyhow.. As I drive southward on our 'main drag,' I pass a readerboard at a Christian-owned business. My heart is aching each time I pass it currently for it now says, "Daughter (name withheld).. Please call Mom.. I Love You." This is either a desperate cry of a mom whose daughter has left home willingly or, of one whose daughter has met with something not nice! Either way it is.. it is heart-wrenching to think of the agony of the waiting and hoping mom!

This reminded me of our Lord's heart as He awaits our response to his availability to us. He desires our fellowship, allegiance, and knowledge of Him personally. Contrary to this aching mother's plight though, He chose to need to wait on our response. This mom did not... I do believe though, that the depth of ache which comes from separation from a loved one is much the same for both.

Because it is Easter season, we can remember that 'For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross with its pain and shame..' HE knew many of us would choose to be reconciled to HIM through accepting The LAST SACRIFICE acceptable to his Heavenly Father. I'll bet the aching mother of this missing girl is wishing she could 'do something' in order to offer her girl 'an acceptable/secure way back home.' Please join me in praying for that aching mom.. I will let you all know if I ever hear of the girl's reunion with her. Thanks.. and, may you bless the Lord as you respond to his supreme sacrifice.. He rejoices as you do!

DEEP BREATHING...

My sister calls them, 'GOD WINKS.' I call them displays of the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Just what am I speaking of? Well, they are those moments when any Christ-centered individual  becomes aware of how HE has allowed evidence of his personal attention to them to become noticed and appreciated. I believe there is a song entitled, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.. see what God HAS done.. Pause to remember just a few of those moments/events when you've been able to say a heartfelt, 'THANK YOU,' as you inhaled a deep breath of his 'fresh air.' Those moments are so varied in 'what' comprises them, that I'll make no attempt to even begin suggesting some.. The psalmist, DAVID, reminds us to 'remember,' and today, I will encourage us to live in the present by focusing on INHALING his grace as HE displays it in, or to you, currently. Anticipate many opportunities  to  delightedly say, 'Thank you!' as you look upward-breathing deeply of his grace! Of course, whenever we inhale, we must exhale.. Saying 'Thank You,' is part of this, but I also suggest PRAISING HIM with songs, hymns, or spiritual songs aloud, or within! The 'bottom line' of this message is to practice deep breathing by inhaling GRACE, and exhaling PRAISE!  There is a modern praise/worship song which conveys this truth, although the term, DEEP BREATHING, is not used. This is just my way to apply these thoughts.. Blessings to all.. Sheila    As I proofread this, I am thinking of I Timothy I:17 which says, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible.. The only wise God,. Be honor and glory forever and ever-- Amen!" I am also focusing on how his grace is sufficient as He supplies all my needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 and II Corinthians 12:9)